Improved velocipede



L. E. DU-GAS.

' V elocipede.

- Patented May 4, 1-869.

Int/enforjflpuyas,

tlinitrd sacs -L. E. DUGAS, or WARREN, IL INOIS;

Letters Patent No. 89,744, dated Ma/y4, 1869.

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The Schedule referred to intheaa Letters Patent and making part of the same.

The nature of the present inventlon consists in the novel construction and application of treadles 'to'a;

\ fonr-wheeledlvelocipede, and the arrangement of the brake and steering-device, wherebypersons are enabled to occupy a convenient seat, readily: apply the propelling-force, and control the velocipede, as the whole is hereinafter fully shown.

,I I O are the forward wheels and their axle, and G G the hind wheels, which may have any ordinary construction most convenient.

, The axle F, fig. 2, of the hind wheels, has cranks H formed on it, corresponding in numberto the number of treadles, D, fig. 1, by means of which it is turned. V l

These treadles, attheir rear ends, have short elbows,

2:, bent upward, and hooked around the cranks, and at their forward ends they are connected with a cross-bar, Z, by means of hooks ff, .850. I

By means of this arrangement, the treadles are j brought down to a suitable position for the operator to conveniently reach them with the feet, while at the same time the treadles have an easy lateral motion, which enables the feet to retain their position on the foot-pieces E, notwithstanding the road be rough and sideling. v i V V The frame which holds the axles in position consists of two light bars of steel or iron, A, which are fastsued to the crank-axle F near the wheels G, and to a curved bolster, B, which is pivoted to the axle O in the usual manner.

If it is desirable to make the frame very light, and yet strong, gas-pipes may be substituted for the bars A The steering device consists of a metal bail, P, whichhas its arms N so formed as to loop around the axle O, and allow the bail to be raised or lowered, as

the case may require,

The brake consists of two levers, J, which are pivoted to the under side of a spring-seat, ,U V, attached to the bars A, and also to the endsof arms K, of a drawbar, B, which are arranged to slide through guide-loops L, rigidly fastened to the bars A.

A seat, T, is placed on springs Y, bearing onthe crank-axle F, and so balanced asproperly to equalize the weight to be carried on the wheels, in addition to the operators. I

Operation.

Two persons are to occupy the seat U, place their feet on the treadles D, at E, and alternately work them up and down, while at the same time the steering-device 1? should be grasped with the hands, and swung to the right or left, as the case may require, to guide the velocipede.

The brake J J is operated by simply pushing against the rod B with the foot.

Having thus described my invention, I What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent'of the United States, is-

The combination of the suspended treadles D E,

crank-shaft F H, seats U T, brake J J, rod B, bars A A, bar Z, bail N P, and bolster B, as described.

Witnesses: L. E. DUGAS.

J ..D. PLATT,

N. BoornBY. 

